Summer 2026
Dear Friends of the Center,
There is something fitting about writing this letter from Athens this week: as LMU's commencement ceremonies concluded and one chapter ended, two group of students were already stepping into another: arriving in Greece to begin the BCLA Global Immersions Modern Greek Theater week-long workshop and our four-week Odyssey program. To watch them move through this ancient and living city, engaging with its language, history, literature, theater, and everyday rhythms, is a powerful reminder of the Center's purpose: to create transformative experiences that connect learning with lived understanding, and students with a sense of culture, identity, and community they will carry long after the semester ends.
Speaking about community, I write to you with deep gratitude and appreciation for the community that makes all of this possible as we conclude another meaningful academic year at the Caloyeras Center. I am filled with admiration for our students, who bring such curiosity and openness to everything we do, and with thankfulness for our dedicated faculty, generous supporters, alumni, and friends whose continued belief in this mission brings people together across generations, disciplines, and borders.
This year has been one of growth, renewal, and connection. Together, we celebrated the opening of the George and Cleola Gavalas Library, welcomed Visiting Scholar Dr. Alexandros Kyriakidis who expanded our academic offerings, and gathered through lectures, performances, celebrations, and community partnerships that highlighted the richness and vitality of Modern Greek studies and Hellenic culture in Los Angeles.
We are proud to have offered 12 undergraduate courses spanning Modern Greek language, literature, history, politics, theater, culture, and Orthodox spirituality, continuing our commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and scholarship. Our summer programs in Greece offer 2 more courses on Ancient Greek Philosophy and Modern Greek history, society, and culture.
We welcomed back for the third year our artist-in-residence director, producer, writer, interdisciplinary artist, and educator Dr. Eleni Kafetzi and continued our support of local artists with the development of Angeliki Giannakopoulos's play, Nick The Greek in collaboration with HAWC/Pacific.
At the same time, our Extension Program continued to expand access to Modern Greek language instruction through online courses open to learners of all levels across the broader community. Together, these programs strengthen the Center's mission of connecting students and lifelong learners to the richness of Hellenic language and culture.
We are also delighted to announce the reappointment of Dr. Alexandros Kyriakidis as Visiting Scholar for the upcoming academic year. Professor Kyriakidis' dynamic teaching, scholarship, and public programming have greatly enriched the intellectual life of the Center and expanded opportunities for our students and community alike. We look forward to continuing this important collaboration in the year ahead.
This year's events reflected the interdisciplinary spirit of the Center, from discussions on freedom of speech from Ancient Greece to contemporary debates in the United States and the European Union, to presentations on philosophy, geopolitics, poetry, translation, theater, and film. Through lectures, performances, screenings, and collaborations with partner institutions and organizations, the Center continued to serve as a vibrant space where scholarship and community come together. For details of all our community events, please visit our events highlights page.
A particularly vibrant theme throughout the year was the enthusiastic response to our programming centered on Greek music and dance traditions. Events including Rhythms of Tradition: The Journey of Dance and Music in the North Aegean Islands of Greece, Dr. Kyriakidis' open lecture on contemporary Greek music and dance, and our Apokries celebration with live music and dancing brought together students, scholars, artists, and community members in joyful and meaningful ways. These gatherings reminded us that music and dance remain among the most powerful expressions of cultural memory, continuity, and belonging.
Inspired by the overwhelming community response to these events, we are excited to announce that beginning this fall, the Center will partner with Kypseli Greek Dance Center to bring back a community Greek dance class in commemoration of Athan Karras, who for many years was a beloved dance instructor and cherished presence at the Caloyeras Center. We look forward to honoring his legacy by continuing to foster intergenerational learning and cultural engagement through dance. Look out for more details in the fall.
We are equally proud of our students and their accomplishments throughout the year, both inside and outside the classroom. Through academic initiatives, cultural programming, and the continued growth of the LMU Hellenic Cultural Club, our students have helped cultivate a vibrant and welcoming community on campus.
This year, the Center was proud to award $25,000 in scholarships and awards. We congratulate the following students:
- The Rosalind F. Halikis Scholarshipfor outstanding academic achievement: Evangelia Romas
- The Peter and Beverly Caloyeras Odyssey Study Abroad Scholarships: Madeleine Hansen-Schreiber, Ava Jansen, Christie Shum, Carson Spaeny, and Gabriella Yturri
- The Fr. John Bakas Scholarshipfor academic excellence in Greek Orthodoxy Studies: Alexander Denes, Lia Momzikova Moore, Margarita Papathanasiou, Anthony Richmond, and Konstantine Richmond
- The George and Cleola Gavalas First Year Seminar Awardfor outstanding research essay: Bella Kauffman
- The Barbara and Hugh Gray Award in Modern Greek Studiesfor academic excellence in Modern Greek Studies, language and culture: Peyton Kyriakos and Eva Siafaris
- The Mary Tsassis Modern Greek History Award: Eleanna Defterios
- The Caloyeras Center Service Award: Margaret Chaney and Kayli McDaniel
We are also proud to recognize the inaugural recipient of the American Hellenic Council Young Leaders Scholarship, Michael Armeniakos. This scholarship, generously supported by the American Hellenic Council of California (AHC) honors young scholars whose academic research aligns with the AHC's mission to promote and advocate for democracy, human rights, peace, and stability in Greece, Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean. We are grateful to the AHC for their commitment to cultivating the next generation of Hellenic scholars and leaders.
The Center also extends its sincere gratitude to Andrea Brown for her generous support of the Global Immersions study abroad trip to Athens, a week-long workshop for our Modern Greek Theater: Influences and Performance seminar.
And while summer is humming with activities, we are already preparing for an exciting fall semester filled with new initiatives, lectures, performances, and community gatherings that will continue to deepen the Center's connections and strengthen its mission.
Please save the date for Sunday, October 4, when the Caloyeras Center will present the Zoe Caloyera Distinguished Lecture and Recognition Award, honoring Colonel Matthew Bogdanos. An internationally recognized investigator, Assistant District Attorney, and officer in the United States Marine Corps, Colonel Bogdanos has been celebrated worldwide for his tireless efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities and recover stolen cultural treasures, including important works of classical Greek antiquity returned to Greece and other countries. His extraordinary commitment to the protection of cultural heritage has earned him international recognition and honors from the Greek state. I hope you will join us as we honor his extraordinary work.
On behalf of the Center, thank you for being a part of this remarkable year and for your support during our most successful fundraising Day of Giving to date. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the Caloyeras family and everyone who made a gift. Your support ensures that the Center continues to thrive as a place of learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange for this generation and those to come.
We invite you to stay connected and follow the Center's activities, student achievements, and upcoming events through our Instagram page: @lmu_caloyeras_center.
I wish you a restful and joyful summer, and I look forward to welcoming you back in the fall.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Christina Bogdanou, PhD
Director
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Spring 2026
Dear friends,
As we enter the spring semester, I am pleased to welcome you back to the Caloyeras Center with renewed purpose. The spring term allows us to deepen conversations begun in the fall and to continue building meaningful connections around scholarship, culture, and community.
This semester, our work continues to affirm the Center’s role as a vibrant cultural and intellectual hub. Through our academic offerings, community programs, and collaborations, we remain committed to fostering dialogue around Greek language, literature, history, contemporary politics, and cultural expression.
The Center continues to offer a full range of academic courses in Modern Greek language and culture, literature, contemporary theater, Greek orthodox spirituality, and history for our undergraduate students, as well as online Modern Greek language courses through our Extension Program, serving learners of all levels in the broader community.
Professor Alexandros Kyriakidis’ appointment as visiting scholar has enriched our curriculum and our students’ academic experience. His expertise and energy have expanded the Center’s academic reach into the field of political science and international relations at a time of significant global geopolitical shifts.
This spring, we are especially excited to present a series of events that highlight the richness and diversity of Modern Greek studies and Greek culture.
On January 17, the Caloyeras Center will host a Zoom presentation, Constantine Cavafy: A New Biography, featuring authors Gregory Jusdanis and Peter Jeffreys. Held under the auspices of the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the conversation will explore new perspectives on one of the most influential poets of modern Hellenism. We are grateful for the Consulate’s continued support of Greek letters and scholarship.
On February 7, and in collaboration with the Hellenic American Women Council, we will present Angeliki Giannakopoulos’ Nick the Greek, a compelling one-woman theatrical performance that brings to life the experiences, humor, and resilience of Greek immigrant identity. This powerful production blends storytelling and performance to illuminate the personal dimensions of diaspora history and cultural memory.
Once again this year, the Center will celebrate the Greek Language with a series of events under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles. This year is especially meaningful, as the celebration follows UNESCO’s anticipated 2025 proclamation officially recognizing February 9th as World Day of Greek Language, affirming its contribution to world cultural heritage.
On February 25, we will welcome back to the Center Patricia Barbeito, professor of American literature and award-winning translator of Greek fiction and poetry, for a presentation of her forthcoming translation of acclaimed poet Haris Vlavianos’ collection Renaissance. The presentation is co-hosted by the Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies at LMU and the Hellenic Studies Program at the California State University, Sacramento under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles.
On February 22, we will celebrate Αποκριά with live music and dancing presented by Professor Kyriakidis and his class “Modern Greek History, Culture, and Society” with the participation of the LMU students’ Hellenic Cultural Club. The event is open to the community.
We are also delighted to welcome back to the Center the Hellenic American Women Council’s Up Close and Personalseries on March 1. Dr. Mike Vasilomanolakis will discuss his new book, Flatlines and Laughs. The event promises an engaging and thoughtful conversation that reflects the series’ tradition of intimate dialogue with distinguished voices from the Greek American community.
On March 14, a community-wide celebration of World Day of Greek Language in collaboration with the Hellenic Library of Southern California and other local community organizations will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hellenic Library. Readings, live traditional music, presentations and awards honoring the Ellinomatheia students will mark this important milestone.
In closing, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, and the Honorary Consul General of Cyprus, the Honorable Andreas Kyprianides, for their steadfast support, as well as to our partner organizations and devoted community members who make these programs possible.
The Center remains deeply grateful to our donors and friends whose generosity sustains our mission and strengthens our future. Your continued support enables us to sustain our academic initiatives, cultural programming, and community outreach.
I hope you will consider making a gift on March 18 for LMU’s DAY OF GIVING and help us unlock matching gifts and reach our goal for the day. Funds from DAY of GIVING will support the position of visiting scholar for the academic year 2026-2027.
I invite you to stay connected with the Center’s activities this spring and to join us in shaping the next chapter of our work together.
As a reminder, our George & Cleola Gavalas Library is open to the public by appointment.
I look forward to welcoming you—both virtually and in person—to our upcoming events and our new multi-use space in University Hall.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Christina Bogdanou, PhD
Director -
Fall 2025
Dear friends of the Center,
After an enriching summer in Greece with the Odyssey program, I am excited for the semester underway. I welcome you to a new academic year with a spirit of celebration and gratitude.
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies—a milestone we had hoped to celebrate together. However, the devastating Palisades and Altadena fires deeply affected many families within our community, and we chose instead to pause and support them during that time.
This fall, with resilience and renewed energy, we enter our 51st year as a testament not only to the Center’s longevity but also to the strength of the community that sustains it. The Center’s story has always been one of shared vision. We could not have reached this moment without you.
This academic year comes with exciting new beginnings. We are proud to share the opening of our new multi-use space in University Hall: the George and Cleola Gavalas Library. Dedicated in honor of George and Cleola’s decades of generosity and support, this space will serve as both a resource and a gathering place for students, scholars, and community members.
The library will house the Demetrios Liappas Collection, generously donated to the Center by Professor Katharine Free, along with treasured books entrusted to us by other supporters. Among those are the library of author Margo Demopoulos, gifted by her daughter Maria Demopoulos in memory of her mother, and a collection of theology books from Diana Savas. Together, these volumes create not just a repository of knowledge but a living legacy of our community’s devotion to Greek culture and shared heritage. The library will be open to the community for use.
We are deeply grateful to the university and BCLA for the space provided to accommodate our growth, especially former Dean Robbin Crabtree for spearheading this move and current Dean Richard Fox for guiding it to completion.
Most importantly, with the generous support of George and Cleola Gavalas and the gifts made during our Day of Giving this past spring, we are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Alexandros Kyriakidis as a Visiting Scholar for this academic year. Dr. Kyriakidis brings new expertise and energy to our program, expanding the academic reach of the Center and deepening the opportunities available to our students.
Professor Kyriakidis comes to us with distinguished academic and research credentials. A Greek State Scholarships Foundation recipient, he earned his PhD in International and European Studies from the University of Macedonia in Greece. Prior to joining LMU, he held teaching positions at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Macedonia in Greece, as well as the European Public Law Organization. He served as Postdoctoral Researcher at ELIAMEP, Greece’s premier think tank for European and foreign policy, and at LUISS University in Rome, Italy.
As in every academic year, the Center continues to offer a full range of academic courses in Modern Greek language, culture, and history for our undergraduate students. Our Extension Program also remains strong, with online Modern Greek language courses tailored for community learners of all levels. These offerings connect students of all ages and backgrounds to Hellenic language and culture.
I would like to recognize the 2025-2026 Rosalind F. Halikis Scholarship recipients, Anthony Richmond ’27 and Konstantino Richmond ’27. Hailing from Redondo Beach, Anthony and Konstantino are active members of the St. Katherine community, where they teach traditional Greek dance. Anthony and Konstantino are among the founding members of our new Hellenic Cultural Club at LMU.
Looking ahead, we are especially excited for our upcoming community events that highlight the Center’s role as a cultural hub where scholarship and community come together.
On October 11, the Caloyeras Center will co-sponsor the 40th anniversary of the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California, a long-time partner of the Center in preserving the cultural heritage of our community. The event is co-sponsored with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for the Study of Hellenic Culture at UCLA, and it will be an interactive multigenerational event filled with presentations, exhibits, and inspirational discussions, as well as the opportunity to explore genealogy roots through a personalized expert workshop.
On October 19, join us for Rhythms of Tradition: The Journey of Dance and Music in the North Aegean Islands of Greece, a celebration of Greek cultural heritage led by Dimitris Kouskousis and Christina Tsardoulias of Samos, Greece. Dimitris, a scholar and practitioner of Greek traditional dance and folklore, has dedicated his career to documenting and preserving the music and dance traditions of Samos, Asia Minor, and the Dodecanese. Christina, founder of the Samos School of Dance, combines classical and folk training with international research on Greek dance traditions. Together, they bring performance, scholarship, and passion to the rhythms and stories of the North Aegean Islands.
November 2 will bring back to the Caloyeras Center the annual Hellenic American Women Council’s (HAWC) series Up Close and Personal with Sokratis Alafouzos, award-winning writer, director, and actor as the first guest of the season.
On November 16, the Caloyeras Center is pleased to introduce to the community our new faculty member, Dr. Kyriakidis, with a presentation on the role of Greece as a pillar of stability in the Mediterranean.
In closing, we are thankful to the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, for her continued support, as well as to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco.
The Center would also like to thank the many friends who over the past few months have generously gifted the Center and the Demetrios Liappas Legacy Fund.
I would like to recognize George and Cleola Gavalas, John and Mary-Lynn Rallis, Rosalind F. Halikis, Nasreen Babu-Khan and Howard Lehrhoff, Katharine Free, Hope and Dimitri Berk, Peter and Vivi Demopoulos, James and Caroline Kolokotrones, the Saint Katherine Foundation, the Greek Consulate General of Greece, as well as the Caloyeras family for their leadership, gifts, and continued support.
In the next months, we hope we can count on your support to reach our target goal of raising $1 million to seed this endowment in perpetuity. The fund will provide support for a much-needed professorship for the Caloyeras Center. This position will allow the Center to strengthen its multidisciplinary programmatic offerings and provide our students the opportunity to expand their knowledge about Greece in new academic perspectives.
I invite you to join us in this endeavor. Together, we can secure the Center’s next fifty years of scholarship, community, and cultural enrichment.
I hope you will consider making a gift.
Visit our website to find out more about our academic program, students, events, and our endowment campaign. I am happy to discuss the Center's plans in more detail, should you have any questions.
I am looking forward to welcoming you back to our campus!
With heartfelt appreciation,
Christina Bogdanou